need help please - alternator belt snapped! :(

Rick-sta · 18th September 2015, 22:49

My brand new alternator belt has snapped! Luckily i was only 20 mins from home and managed to drive it back. Serious arms workout with no power steering. Now im left without a car this weekend.

Can anyone advise where i can buy a high quality diesel alternator belt from please other than DMGRS?

Alternatively has anyone got a spare belt in thurrock essex who could drop it off to me please?

Also, do break down services hold spare belts and would they be able to fit one for me on the driveway as the diesel belt is a pain to fit i hear.

Much appreciated!

first-things-first · 18th September 2015, 23:15

You don't have much luck lately.

I have my old belt if you want it. Original belt but has stretched by around 1.5cm. If you are really stuck and need one temporarily, it's yours.

Alternatively, just try ECP. Got my gates one from them. No trouble since. One in lakeside. Alternatively, GSF probably stock them as well. They are also nearn lakeside.

It can be a pain to fit. I have the tools if you need them and want to do it yourself..

Jakg · 18th September 2015, 23:26

I could be talking rubbish, but isn't there two belts - one for the power steering / alternator, and one for the air con?

Both of those are a service item (90k / 6 years I think?) - if ones failed it's probably likely the other needs replacing. And I seem to remember the air con one is behind the other so you need to do the whole lot again anyway?

Again - I could be talking rubbish. I had a garage do mine.

Rick-sta · 18th September 2015, 23:29

Cheers buddy appreciate it. Will try those places in the morning. Only problem i have is i dont know how car i'll be able to drive the car until it dies.

I'm going to give my mechanic down at mg rover repair on wickford to see if he has a spare belt and if he can fit it for me tomorrow. Otherwise i'll have to try and source one and fit it myself. Are any special tools needed to replace the belt? Done one on a corsa a couple years back and all i needed was a socket set.

I think i'd probably be better off with an old belt after 2 brand new ones have failed on me in a row now. My original one had done 160ish miles and looked fine when it was replaced

Rick-sta · 18th September 2015, 23:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakg

I could be talking rubbish, but isn't there two belts - one for the power steering / alternator, and one for the air con?

Both of those are a service item (90k / 6 years I think?) - if ones failed it's probably likely the other needs replacing. And I seem to remember the air con one is behind the other so you need to do the whole lot again anyway?

Again - I could be talking rubbish. I had a garage do mine.

You're right mate

i had both ac and drive belt changed last year when i had my failed crank pulley and thermostat replaced. However the new drive belt which i had fitted at the time cracked all over within 6 months so had a brand new replacement sent out which i only just had the chance to get fitted just under 3 weeks ago and its snapped already. This has now got me worried that the ac belt is poor quality as well and could fail.

first-things-first · 18th September 2015, 23:45

You need a 24mm cut down spanner (as the access is tight) or the Rover tool. This releases the tensioner. I have them if you need them.

You are right about how far you can drive. The belt works (worked) the water pump. Can't go too far with out it working or will probably overheat.

Kev does these in his sleep.

I tried doing mine, but the belt would not go on properly as did not have enough range to release the tensioner in the engine bay. Kev did it in the end as I gave up.

Some can be a pain, but the majority are quite reasonable.

What make was your belt? Can't believe it went so quick. Wonder if something else is a bit loose and causing wobbles and making the belt chafe then eventually go. Water pump been done? Tensioner or idler bearings may be going.

Mike Noc · 19th September 2015, 08:22

What brand of belt are you fitting Rick, and can you post a photo of the break in the one that came off?

Check all the pulleys for roughness and ease of spinning before putting the next one on.

You did well to drive it for 20 minutes with no water pump.

Rick-sta · 19th September 2015, 08:34

Just had a look at the belt now that theres daylight. Turns out it didn't snap, the belts come off. Never seen that before. Belt itself is fine. Going to try and put it back on now. Has anyone got a photo or diagram of how the belt goes on?

Thanks

first-things-first · 19th September 2015, 08:56

See at end here for belt routing.

http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...60&postcount=1

You will need a cut down 24mm spanner to hold back the tensioner. Access is tight.

Before doing that check for roughness in water pump, idler, tensioner, alternator, etc. by spinning them and listening for sound or feeling vibrations. Dodgy bearings maybe why the belt has slipped. Any oil leaks?

Arctic · 19th September 2015, 09:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick-sta

Just had a look at the belt now that theres daylight. Turns out it didn't snap, the belts come off. Never seen that before. Belt itself is fine. Going to try and put it back on now. Has anyone got a photo or diagram of how the belt goes on?

Thanks

Hi Rik.
Couple of pics below showing how the belt fits, you will most likely not have the aviation spanner in the photo but doe's the job great, blet over the power steering pulley first wind belt round the others as you go finally holding the tensioner back and slip the belt on, Arctic

18th September 2015, 22:49	#1
Rick-sta This is my second home MG ZT 2.0 CDTI+ in Typhoon, MG TF 135 in Typhoon & Rover 75 Connoisseur CDTI SE in Pearl Black Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Norfolk Posts: 7,537 Thanks: 2,718 Thanked 2,827 Times in 1,462 Posts	need help please - alternator belt snapped! :( My brand new alternator belt has snapped! Luckily i was only 20 mins from home and managed to drive it back. Serious arms workout with no power steering. Now im left without a car this weekend. Can anyone advise where i can buy a high quality diesel alternator belt from please other than DMGRS? Alternatively has anyone got a spare belt in thurrock essex who could drop it off to me please? Also, do break down services hold spare belts and would they be able to fit one for me on the driveway as the diesel belt is a pain to fit i hear. Much appreciated! __________________ How to retrofit Cruise Control on a diesel with no OEM wiring in place: Link How to retrofit heated electric memory seats with no OEM wiring in place: Link How to operate FBH and ATC via text Link How to restore cloudy projector headlights Link Last edited by Rick-sta; 18th September 2015 at 22:54..

18th September 2015, 23:29	#4
Rick-sta This is my second home MG ZT 2.0 CDTI+ in Typhoon, MG TF 135 in Typhoon & Rover 75 Connoisseur CDTI SE in Pearl Black Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Norfolk Posts: 7,537 Thanks: 2,718 Thanked 2,827 Times in 1,462 Posts	Cheers buddy appreciate it. Will try those places in the morning. Only problem i have is i dont know how car i'll be able to drive the car until it dies. I'm going to give my mechanic down at mg rover repair on wickford to see if he has a spare belt and if he can fit it for me tomorrow. Otherwise i'll have to try and source one and fit it myself. Are any special tools needed to replace the belt? Done one on a corsa a couple years back and all i needed was a socket set. I think i'd probably be better off with an old belt after 2 brand new ones have failed on me in a row now. My original one had done 160ish miles and looked fine when it was replaced __________________ How to retrofit Cruise Control on a diesel with no OEM wiring in place: Link How to retrofit heated electric memory seats with no OEM wiring in place: Link How to operate FBH and ATC via text Link How to restore cloudy projector headlights Link

18th September 2015, 23:45	#6
first-things-first Posted a thing or two MG ZT Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Hornchurch Posts: 1,255 Thanks: 176 Thanked 352 Times in 272 Posts	You need a 24mm cut down spanner (as the access is tight) or the Rover tool. This releases the tensioner. I have them if you need them. You are right about how far you can drive. The belt works (worked) the water pump. Can't go too far with out it working or will probably overheat. Kev does these in his sleep. I tried doing mine, but the belt would not go on properly as did not have enough range to release the tensioner in the engine bay. Kev did it in the end as I gave up. Some can be a pain, but the majority are quite reasonable. What make was your belt? Can't believe it went so quick. Wonder if something else is a bit loose and causing wobbles and making the belt chafe then eventually go. Water pump been done? Tensioner or idler bearings may be going. Last edited by first-things-first; 18th September 2015 at 23:48..

19th September 2015, 08:34	#8
Rick-sta This is my second home MG ZT 2.0 CDTI+ in Typhoon, MG TF 135 in Typhoon & Rover 75 Connoisseur CDTI SE in Pearl Black Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Norfolk Posts: 7,537 Thanks: 2,718 Thanked 2,827 Times in 1,462 Posts	Just had a look at the belt now that theres daylight. Turns out it didn't snap, the belts come off. Never seen that before. Belt itself is fine. Going to try and put it back on now. Has anyone got a photo or diagram of how the belt goes on? Thanks __________________ How to retrofit Cruise Control on a diesel with no OEM wiring in place: Link How to retrofit heated electric memory seats with no OEM wiring in place: Link How to operate FBH and ATC via text Link How to restore cloudy projector headlights Link

18th September 2015, 23:15	#2
first-things-first Posted a thing or two MG ZT Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Hornchurch Posts: 1,255 Thanks: 176 Thanked 352 Times in 272 Posts	You don't have much luck lately. I have my old belt if you want it. Original belt but has stretched by around 1.5cm. If you are really stuck and need one temporarily, it's yours. Alternatively, just try ECP. Got my gates one from them. No trouble since. One in lakeside. Alternatively, GSF probably stock them as well. They are also nearn lakeside. It can be a pain to fit. I have the tools if you need them and want to do it yourself..

18th September 2015, 23:26	#3
Jakg This is my second home N/A Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Suffolk Posts: 6,867 Thanks: 0 Thanked 397 Times in 302 Posts	I could be talking rubbish, but isn't there two belts - one for the power steering / alternator, and one for the air con? Both of those are a service item (90k / 6 years I think?) - if ones failed it's probably likely the other needs replacing. And I seem to remember the air con one is behind the other so you need to do the whole lot again anyway? Again - I could be talking rubbish. I had a garage do mine.

19th September 2015, 08:22	#7
Mike Noc This is my second home Rover 75 CDT Manual Connoisseur SE, Rover 75 CDT Automatic Connoisseur SE & a Freelander Td4. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hampshire Posts: 11,579 Thanks: 3,470 Thanked 3,119 Times in 2,247 Posts	What brand of belt are you fitting Rick, and can you post a photo of the break in the one that came off? Check all the pulleys for roughness and ease of spinning before putting the next one on. You did well to drive it for 20 minutes with no water pump.

19th September 2015, 08:56	#9
first-things-first Posted a thing or two MG ZT Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Hornchurch Posts: 1,255 Thanks: 176 Thanked 352 Times in 272 Posts	See at end here for belt routing. http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...60&postcount=1 You will need a cut down 24mm spanner to hold back the tensioner. Access is tight. Before doing that check for roughness in water pump, idler, tensioner, alternator, etc. by spinning them and listening for sound or feeling vibrations. Dodgy bearings maybe why the belt has slipped. Any oil leaks?